Page 3 of Lost Hours
“So who paid for this night?” Abby asked, not surprising as she was usually the first one to jump in when something needed clarifying.
“That’s information I’m not privy to. I’ve just been instructed to facilitate a special evening for you.” Smythe smiled, but this one was definitely fake. He held out a Faraday bag. “Before you go in, I’ll need you to drop your cell phones in here, and I’ll take your invitations.”
Say what?The bag stopped all signals coming into or leaving a cell phone. This made no sense. Why did he need their phones to basically be inoperative?
“Nah, no way on the phone.” Gabe shook his head and planted his feet. “That’s a deal killer for me.”
“Please do not worry. This is just so you all will enjoy every moment tonight.” Smythe jiggled the bag. “I will put this in the dining room with you. You can see it at all times and know your phones are safe.”
Nolan wouldn’t let this condition stop him. Not when he’d be able to see the bag and retrieve his phone if needed. “That should be fine then.”
He handed over his invitation and dropped his phone into the bag. He stood back so his teammates could follow suit.
“I don’t like this,” Gabe said as he let go of his phone.
Nolan gave a sympathetic nod, but he wouldn’t back out now. Not a chance. His gut burned even more to find out what was going on. “You’re sure you don’t know who paid for this event?”
Smythe glanced around as if checking for a spy. “I’m not supposed to tell you, but the night is courtesy of a client who is thankful for your work.”
So someone was grateful that they’d found a lost loved one and decided to give the team a night out. Despite the person’s desire to remain anonymous, Nolan would find out the identity so he could show his appreciation. “Can you tell me which client?”
“I’ve already said too much.” Smythe gave a conversation-ending smile. “Please join me in the dining room.”
His chin raised, he marched off.
“He obviously knows who it is and isn’t telling us.” One of Hayden’s piercing expressions took over, and he fisted his hands. “Maybe I should give him some up close persuasion.”
Nolan held out a placating hand. “Not necessary. I’m uncomfortable not knowing which client arranged this, but no need to intimidate the butler. We have other ways to find out.”
“No surprise the two of you are so uncomfortable.” Abby looked between Nolan and Hayden. “You both need to control everything.”
Gabe shifted his stance. “I don’t like it either, and if it bothers me, there’s got to be something to it.”
“All I can say is, if I wake up dead in the morning because we’re being poisoned at dinner, I’m gonna be mad.” Jude grinned.
The others laughed, the tension broken as Jude often accomplished as the team joker.
Nolan appreciated the humor, but he wasn’t at peace with everything. Still, he’d stay at least until he had a logical explanation for the night. Or learned enough to investigate and find out what was going on.
Smythe turned at the doorway and gestured for them to join him. “When you finish your meal, I’ll invite you to the next room for a night of games prepared just for you.”
A vision of the invitation flashed in Nolan’s brain. “Is this where it turns into a killer of an evening?”
“Indeed it is, sir.” Smythe smiled. “Prepare yourself to be delighted and shocked at the same time.”
Hayden’s face lit up, and he pulled on his bowtie. “Sounds like my kind of night, and maybe this monkey suit will be worth it.”
Shock and delight.Nolan wasn’t as quick to get on board as Hayden was. Nolan couldn’t imagine shock and delight going hand-in-hand. But did it matter?
Either he walked out now, or he had to wait for the shock. All he knew at the moment was if whatever was planned was enough to stun this team of former law enforcement officers, it had to be big. Very big.
Sheriff Mina Park sat behind her desk, her ear tuned to her radio and her eyes drifting closed as she stared at her computer.
Please. Let something happen that needs a sheriff’s intervention before both of my eyes close.
She shouldn’t complain or wish to be needed. She’d wanted this job for as long as she could remember. Being sheriff of the county where she was raised and providing protection for the people she loved was everything to her. Everything.
She loved most every bit of it. Overseeing not only the county, but the town of Lost Lake too. Kept her busy. Especially in the summer months, but the off-season boredom? Nearly drove her nuts.
